which bike

need a new bike, want to do tris starting next spring, will be investing around january time, how do i choose. will possibly have 4-500squids (no more, as i may have to buy a car too - for approx same cost) Currently get around on big brothers ancient dawes racing bike which is quite heavy by nowadays standards (its about 14 years old) but will do for getting fit on. Really can't buy yet as have no money spare, but want to be fairly knowledgeable by the time i do buy.

there are loads of suitable bikes for less than 400 quid. get a cycling weekly or other cycling mag and you will find bargains. many are mail order which is no problem as long as you make sure it is the right size. you may want to go for a hybrid if you want to use it for recreational cycling as well. most tris, shorter ones anyway, will let you do it on a non specific road bike. And don't get caught up in the this is dearer so its faster or better or whatever, triathlon is as anal as cycling so there will always be someone telling you that you need this or that to make you faster. Bottom line is its the legs that turn over the cranks. even a 5k bike don't ride its self. I did my first Ironman on a £40 old raleigh from a local ad and it did the job. One thing you should have are gear changers incorporated into the brake levers they make a lot of difference to your comfort and ease of changing especially on climbs. Good luck.

Moosey - might be nowhere near you but Halfords at Sutton (nr Croydon) had a few 2002 racers going for £225, and not a bad spec (according to biking mate with me at the time) Brand spanking, just been lost in the store room all this time apparently ...

Southfields. With Mrs & Wee Kanga back in Oz at the mo I've been hitting the tow paths and cycle tracks. On Sunday we followed the Wandle trail from Earlsfield to Carshalton, then with the bottom bracket seizing up headed for the bright lights of Sutton and thankfully Halfords, for a little lubrication.

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